Miyo finally proves her growth as she embarks on a journey to save Kiyoka.
In the last episode, “Dream Tidings”, the story of Miyo and Kiyoka takes a tragic turn as Naoshi Usui’s plans have begun to unfold. With Arata finally making his choice in betraying the couple, Miyo is left in despair as she is separated from a gravely wounded Kiyoka. The hopelessness in this episode was incredibly palpable, and we’re left wondering what steps Miyo will take next.
Spoiler warning: major plot points ahead!
My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 10, titled “Promise”, is a massive triumph to me, as we finally get the result of Miyo’s struggles: the awakening of her full potential as a Maiden of Dream-Sight. With Kiyoka locked away and Naoshi Usui’s plan coming to fruition, Miyo now takes it upon herself to face this adversary head-on with full confidence in her abilities.
Miyo takes on a journey of her own
My Happy Marriage has always reveled in the fact that Miyo harnesses a powerful ability that she is yet to make full use of. As a daughter of the Saimori clan, Miyo was first introduced to us as a character with no latent talent – a fact that led to much of her suffering back in the prior half of Season 1.
However, Miyo’s true identity as a member of the Usuba clan disproved her lack of power: she is the inheritor of a devastating ability that might well break the balance of the world if she chose to stray from her path. However, Miyo proves that she’s not keen on taking an easy route unlike her disgraced cousin Arata. With Episode 10, Miyo finally comes face to face with her doubts, and overcomes them with the only desire to save Kiyoka from Usui. This resolve becomes the catalyst that finally allows Miyo to unlock her potential as the Maiden of Dream-Sight.
Thanks to the support of Yurie, Hazuki, Takakura, and Kiyoka’s mini-me Shiki-gami, Miyo’s despair is lightened with a glimpse of hope. They’re not sitting idly by while waiting for Naoshi Usui, and this inspires Miyo to take action instead of stewing in her desire to save Kiyoka. Miyo visits the Usuba family head Yoshirou for guidance, and he helps her by telling her about Sumi, Usui, and the “Book of Dream-Sight”. In this interaction, Miyo learns that “awakening” her power is a state of mind, leading her to reflect on her abilities.
Miyo’s inward journey features a breathtaking scene where she meets her deceased mother Sumi in a dream. In the dream, Miyo sees other women within her family that formerly held the Dream-Sight ability, waiting by the steps of a winding staircase that leads to Miyo’s awakening. Sumi gives her encouragement as cherry blossom petals flutter in the wind, and Miyo ascends to the top, where Kiyoka is waiting with a smile.
This allegorical scene is steeped in incredible symbolism: Miyo is supported by those who came before her, including her mother, with the cherry blossoms in full bloom as opposed to the grim warning of snow that Prince Takaihito had envisioned in Episode 8. Miyo’s upward journey is akin to her overcoming her own self doubts, where at the top her husband-to-be symbolises the source of her resolve. It’s safe to say that this beautiful dream brought me to near tears. I’m so proud of Miyo!
Naoshi Usui is humanised
I’ve been clear about my opinion of Usui’s characterisation. Previous episodes that featured him painted him as this purely evil, powerful antagonist who seems to have no weaknesses whatsoever, and I disliked this direction for him considering that My Happy Marriage has had some stellar characterisation under its belt (save for the atrocious treatment that Kaoruko received).
But Episode 10 also featured more of Naoshi Usui’s past, giving him a more humanistic portrayal as a wayward, broken man. Yoshirou tells Miyo about Usui and Sumi’s relationship before Sumi was married off to the Saimori’s, and reveals that Usui was taken in by the Usubas after his family was murdered by burglars.
Due to this traumatic incident, Usui point began to use his abilities as a way to showcase that he wasn’t weak, and even went as far as toying with innocent people to satisfy his need for power and control. Due to this, the Usubas had wanted to seal off Usui’s abilities. However, upon meeting Sumi, Usui changed and became less of a troublemaker, leading to the Usubas punishment for him being postponed.
Sumi and Usui’s relationship is best described as being childhood sweethearts, and even Yoshirou thought that the two would marry. However, an unprecedented event that almost caused the family’s downfall led Sumi to marry into the Saimori household instead, saving her family from ruin. Of course, Usui opposed Sumi’s decisions, and disappeared after she left.
A flashback also reveals the extent of Sumi and Usui’s bond, where the two had promised to change the world for the better in their youth. It seems that Usui saw Sumi’s choices as a betrayal to that promise. However, Sumi still held hope for their dreams and believed that Usui could see it through. I guess she just didn’t think that Usui would do anything, even go so far as to commit a crime, just to see it become a reality.
Sumi and Usui’s relationship is incredibly tragic. It’s evident that the two had loved each other deeply enough to desire the best for each other, but circumstance, destiny, and duty pulled them apart. Of course this sad truth doesn’t at all excuse Usui’s actions, but it’s nice to finally see that this man had a heart at some point. You can’t help but wish that in the end, there could be redemption for him. After all, Usui had only loved, and loved deeply, only to lose it all in the end.
It’s clear to see that Usui’s desire for Miyo to follow in his footsteps is just his projection of his dream with Sumi. But with Miyo now fully awakened, will he really see his wishes come to fruition? We’ll have to find out in the next episode!
If you want to glean more information, look into missed details, or just read our thoughts on each episode, we’ve compiled a My Happy Marriage Season 2 review collection for your perusal!
